A three-storey building with a penthouse under construction on Wednesday collapsed on Oriwu Street in the Lekki area of Lagos, resulting in the confirmed deaths of two individuals, while 14 others were rescued alive from the rubble.
The victims were construction workers at the site, located at House 29, Oriwu Street. While the exact cause of the collapse remains unknown, emergency responders worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hudenyin, stated that law enforcement was swiftly deployed to the scene to support rescue efforts.
He said, “Two persons died. A total of 14 persons have so far been rescued and taken to Lagos Island General Hospital for treatment. Operatives of the Command remain on ground to provide security for the ongoing rescue operation.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency gave a slightly different account, stating that six individuals had been rescued.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, provided further details on the ongoing operation.
“Following distress calls received via the CRM on the 767/112 Emergency Toll-Free Lines today, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans and Response Team from its Lekki and Cappa Bases. Upon arrival at the incident scene, LASEMA’s Shark and Eagle Response Teams discovered that a three-storey building under construction had collapsed at the aforementioned location. The immediate cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.
“So far, two adult males have been extricated from the rubble of the collapsed building. Six seriously injured adult males were rescued and were administered immediate medical care by the LRU Pre-Hospital Care Unit, before being transported to Marina General Hospital for further treatment.
“LASEMA Response Teams have commenced Search and Rescue Operation. LRT is coordinating other common stakeholders for effective response at the incident scene. The agency’s heavy-duty equipment (Excavator) was deployed to the incident scene and is still in operation. Search and Rescue Operation is still ongoing.”
Rescue efforts involved multiple agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Rapid Response Squad, the Lagos State Ambulance Services, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
The search for any remaining victims continues.
